Paperback. Black cover with white title.

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‘The Art of Fiction’ is essential, thoroughly entertaining reading for writers, students and anyone who wants to understand how literature works. The articles by David Lodge, which first appeared in the Independent on Sunday, are expanded here and consider the subject under a wide range of headings such as ‘The Intrusive Author’, ‘Suspense’ and ‘Magic Realism’. Styles and techniques are illustrated in each case by passages from classic or modern fiction. Drawing on writers as diverse as Henry James and Martin Amis, Jane Austen and Fay Weldon and Henry Fielding and James Joyce, Lodge also demonstrates the richness and variety of British and American fiction.

Review: I borrowed this from school, which was using it as part of a course (I’m not sure what course). I took me 5 days to read the whole thing, because I had little time on my hands, but I could have read the entire thing in a day – it’s so entertaining and you can’t put it down, which is rare (for me at least) in a non-fiction book.With excellent examples starting each short chapter (around 5 pages at MOST in each chapter), one is introduced to new texts and techniques. I personally found it most helpful for recognising techniques and having a wide range of literary knowledge stashed away for my upcoming English Advanced Extension Award exam. If you’re studying for an exam with an “unseen” portion or for the AEA, I highly recommend it. You can dip in and out or read the whole thing. Another excellent book by David Lodge.